All Star Lanes in London: Bowling, Karaoke, and American Diner Nights

Picture this: you’re in London, but instead of another pub or cocktail bar, you’re rolling a bowling ball down a neon-lit lane while a live band belts out Bon Jovi. Behind you, a group of friends is belting out Bohemian Rhapsody in a private karaoke booth. On the other side of the room, someone’s biting into a giant cheeseburger with fries the size of their forearm, all under the glow of retro diner signs. This isn’t a movie. It’s All Star Lanes in London - and it’s not just a place to bowl. It’s a full-night experience that blends American nostalgia with London’s love of good times.

What Makes All Star Lanes Different

Most bowling alleys in London feel like they’ve been stuck in the 90s - linoleum floors, dim lighting, and a vending machine that only sells crisps and soda. All Star Lanes doesn’t just update that model. It rebuilds it. Opened in 2023 in a repurposed warehouse in East London, it’s designed to feel like a 1970s American roadside diner crossed with a retro arcade. The lanes are made of real hardwood, not synthetic plastic. The balls? Custom-weighted with rubber cores for better grip. The pins? Automatic reset in under 10 seconds, no waiting.

But here’s what really sets it apart: it’s not about bowling. It’s about doing everything at once. You can start with a game of 10-pin, move to karaoke, grab a milkshake, and end the night dancing to 80s hits on the big screen. There’s no pressure to stick to one thing. That’s the whole point.

The Bowling Experience

If you’ve ever bowled in a chain alley like Tenpin or Hollywood Bowl, you know the vibe: corporate, predictable, quiet. All Star Lanes flips that. The lanes are numbered with vintage-style decals. Each has its own speaker system, so you can play your own playlist while you bowl. Want to bowl to Nirvana? Done. To ABBA? Go ahead. The staff don’t enforce silence. They encourage noise.

There are four types of lanes: standard (for casual players), tournament-grade (with lane oil patterns that mimic pro circuits), family lanes (wider, with bumpers), and glow lanes (blacklight with neon balls and pins). The glow lanes are packed every Friday and Saturday night. Kids and adults alike wear glow-in-the-dark wristbands and compete for the ‘Most Creative Strike Pose’ award.

Scores are tracked on digital screens above each lane. You can link your phone to the system and get a recap of your game - including your spin rate, approach speed, and release angle. No one’s forced to use it, but the data turns bowling into a game you can actually improve at. Local leagues meet every Tuesday. One team, called the ‘Ketchup Slammers,’ has a 92% win rate. They all wear matching red t-shirts and shout ‘Ketchup!’ after every strike.

Karaoke That Doesn’t Suck

Karaoke bars in London often feel like awkward school talent shows. All Star Lanes fixes that with six private booths, each with studio-grade microphones, LED lighting that syncs to the music, and a library of over 25,000 songs - from Queen to Bad Bunny. You don’t just pick a song. You pick a vibe. There’s a ‘70s Disco Pack,’ a ‘Rock Anthem Bundle,’ and even a ‘British Pub Classics’ list with The Jam, The Clash, and Oasis.

The booths are soundproofed, so you won’t hear someone else’s off-key rendition of My Heart Will Go On. You can order drinks and snacks delivered to your booth. The staff don’t just hand you a mic - they ask if you want a backup singer. Yes, they have two trained vocalists on staff who’ll hop in and harmonize if you’re nervous. One regular, a 68-year-old retired teacher, sings Summer of ’69 every Thursday with a backup dancer in a leather jacket. He’s become a local legend.

American Diner Nights

The food here isn’t an afterthought. It’s the star. The kitchen is run by a chef who worked in diners across Ohio and Texas before moving to London. The menu is straight out of a 1958 roadside stop: thick milkshakes made with real ice cream, double-decker burgers with crispy bacon and American cheese, onion rings that crunch like potato chips, and pecan pie that’s warm and gooey with a side of vanilla bean ice cream.

They serve breakfast all day. Yes, pancakes with maple syrup and fried eggs at 11 p.m. The coffee is brewed in batches every 90 minutes - not from a machine. It’s made with single-origin beans and poured into ceramic mugs. The diner counter seats 12, and it’s always full. People come just for the food. One couple from Camden comes every Sunday night for the ‘All-American Sunday Supper’ - a plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans with gravy. They’ve been doing it for a year.

The milkshakes are legendary. You can get them in flavors like Salted Caramel Pretzel, Banana Cream Pie, or even ‘Peanut Butter & Jelly.’ The staff will make you a custom shake if you describe your dream flavor. One customer asked for ‘Tiramisu with a shot of espresso.’ They made it. It’s now on the menu.

Why It Works in London

London doesn’t lack nightlife. But it’s full of places that feel the same: dim lights, loud bass, expensive drinks. All Star Lanes offers something rarer: joy without pretense. It’s not trying to be cool. It’s trying to be fun. People come here to laugh, to sing badly, to eat too much, to forget they’re in a city that often feels too serious.

It’s also a social equalizer. You’ll see teenagers in hoodies, couples on dates, groups of coworkers celebrating a promotion, and retirees who’ve never bowled before. No one’s dressed up. No one’s judging. The vibe is relaxed, loud, and full of energy.

It’s also surprisingly affordable. A game of bowling costs £8.50 per person. Karaoke booth rental is £12 for 30 minutes. A burger and fries? £14. A milkshake? £6.50. You can spend under £30 and have a full night out that feels like a vacation.

When to Go and What to Expect

Weekdays are quiet - perfect if you want to bowl without crowds or book a karaoke booth without waiting. Thursday nights are ‘Retro Night’ - everyone’s encouraged to dress in 70s or 80s gear. There’s a prize for best outfit. Friday and Saturday are packed. Arrive before 7 p.m. if you want a lane. After 9 p.m., the music gets louder, the lights dimmer, and the dance floor (yes, there’s a dance floor) fills up.

They don’t take reservations for bowling or karaoke. But you can book a private party room for groups of 10 or more. It’s great for birthdays, bachelor parties, or just a group of friends who want to own the whole place for a night.

What You Won’t Find Here

No VIP tables. No bottle service. No cover charge. No dress code. No one asking for your ID unless you’re buying alcohol. No one’s taking selfies with the bowling pins. No one’s pretending they’re at a club. This isn’t a trend. It’s a return to something simpler: playing, eating, singing, laughing - all in one place.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking for a quiet drink or a fancy cocktail bar, this isn’t it. But if you want to remember what it feels like to be a kid again - rolling a ball, screaming at the top of your lungs, eating fries with your hands, dancing like no one’s watching - then yes. It’s more than worth it.

All Star Lanes doesn’t just offer activities. It offers a feeling. One that’s hard to find in a city like London. And that’s why it’s packed every weekend.